Organizers optimistic about event at Tartan Ridge

Saturday

Perhaps this year's Parade of Homes won't be hurt by the housing market.

Perhaps this year's Parade of Homes won't be hurt by the housing market.

Three of the 11 homes in the annual event, scheduled for July at Tartan Ridge in Dublin, already have been sold.

Jim Hilz, executive director of the sponsoring Building Industry Association, said homes have been sold before the parade in the past. But with the state of the economy, early sales this year are a reason to be hopeful, he said.

"Going in we knew relatively early on that two were contract build (homes) and the fact that three out of 11 are sold is encouraging," he said. "We're hoping to sell all 11 before the parade event begins."

Selling all the homes in the parade is a goal every year, but it hasn't happened yet, Hilz said. The struggling housing market doesn't mean organizers won't try this year, though.

"As more information gets out about the parade being in Dublin at Tartan Ridge the more traffic we'll get," Hilz said. "We'll get people educated about the great houses out there."

Susan Weil of Milligan Communications, who is doing the public relations for this year's event, said a good location has put sales ahead of where they were last year.

"My impression is that it kind of depends on the site of the parade," she said. "This year with it being at Tartan Ridge, it's an extraordinary site in general. The neighborhood is great. Last year (in Gahanna) we had seven homes and four were sold about a month before the parade."

Two companies pulled out of the parade in December, citing the economy as a factor, but 11 companies remain. Compass Homes, Coppertree Homes, Dani Homes, Duffy Homes, Gossing Construction, Kevin Knight and Co., Lakewood Builders, M/I Homes, New England, Romanelli and Hughes and the Stafford Group are this year's participants.

New England also will partner with Delaware-based Garth's Auction House for the parade.

Homes in the parade include different styles such as coastal Dutchstone Colonial, green features such as geo-thermal heating and gourmet kitchens.

Edwards Land Co. is the developer of Tartan Ridge. The site calls for 246 single-family homes and 24 townhouse units ranging in price from $400,000 to $900,000. The development is near Glacier Ridge Metro Park and is bordered by Brock, McKitrick, Jerome and Hyland-Croy roads.

The BIA Parade of Homes will run from July 11-26, with a preview party slated for July 10.

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